Spinalguy wrote:i buy t joists from rona lumber.i use 8 ft ones as i like a gentle slope ($30). i then fashion some wood slats across to act as steps. i use that ramp for walking up and down in rain, snow or sun.i always have the bike running to get it up.i use this method for my 450 and 950, although i do need to psych myself up with the 950 every time. Down is simple, up is nerving. ha.

i have dropped the 950 a few times and i have crunched my tailgate 3 times when i forget to tie down the ramp to the truck and the bike spits it away, that almost always sucks.

Nice thing about the readymade ramps is that they fold, but the cost is pretty high, for sure compared to $30

Spinalguy wrote:i buy t joists from rona lumber.i use 8 ft ones as i like a gentle slope ($30). i then fashion some wood slats across to act as steps. i use that ramp for walking up and down in rain, snow or sun.i always have the bike running to get it up.i use this method for my 450 and 950, although i do need to psych myself up with the 950 every time. Down is simple, up is nerving. ha.

i have dropped the 950 a few times and i have crunched my tailgate 3 times when i forget to tie down the ramp to the truck and the bike spits it away, that almost always sucks.

Nice thing about the readymade ramps is that they fold, but the cost is pretty high, for sure compared to $30

I need to psych myself up to get my 230 down

i found the angle of the folding ones was too steep for me, i love the longer ramp for walking, but i also have a 8.5 foot box to throw it in.

This may of been said, I didn't read the whole thread but as a short person I had to get creative with the loading too.

I only have one ramp and a bike stand to work with so I generally strap the ramp to the hitch so it won't slide out. Then I put the bike stand where I know I can step up onto it through the transitions from ground to stand and stand to tail gate. Now because I'm so short, I can't physically push the bike on the ramp, there just isn't enough leverage, so I start the bike and walk beside it (I'm on the left side btw). I go very slow, one finger always on the break lever and one on the clutch for safety, and I make my way up the ramp. It is a little awkward, but it works.

If you can, when you park try to find a dip in the grass or a small rut and park your rear tires in it to lower the tail gate for unloading.

To unload I just go slow, when the bike reaches the point where i need to step down i usually turn the bars completely to the right and let the front tire rest on the tail gate while I step down. Then I straighten out and just roll back.

Maybe I can take a video for you, and you can see how a smaller person does it haha (not saying thats your issue) but it can be done!

Thanks, Krissy I solved the problem for myself by getting a second ramp, so no more step I just need some practice walking the bike up and down the ramp.

I'm of average height, but my truck tilts up at the rear (making my 'compact' Canyon look as big as the Sierra, almost), so there is some height to surmount. Also, I don't have a hitch. Officially, GMC does not recommend towing with the manual transmission models, but the dealership told me I could, but I would have to go to the Hitch Store to get outfitted. That was a lot of hassle and I had decided against a prohibitively costly ATV anyway, opting for a dirt bike that would fit neatly into the 6'2" box. I have seen some of those cool hitch-mounted graduated steps, but I opted for the second ramp since it just seems easier and was readily available at the store I bought all of my gear.

Yes, parking on a slope is a no-brainer but it doesn't help in my garage